Conserving Energy & Water Tip of the Month
June Energy Tip: A nice way to brighten your day is with natural lighting!
At PNNL we have many offices that have windows, which can light our work spaces naturally. Try adjusting the blinds in your office to allow enough light in your space to work safely and shut your overhead lights off. You may be surprised at how much natural light can brighten your office and lift your spirits while working. It is a great way to use natural light and save the Lab energy at the same time. For the offices that do not have a window, you can "right light" your office by using task lighting. Some offices are over lit with overhead lighting, but by using task lighting you can shut your overhead lights off and still have a comfortably lit work area. For more light, use one large bulb rather than several small ones. One 100-watt bulb produces more light with less energy than two 60-watt bulbs. For even greater efficiency, use a compact fluorescent bulb in your task light.
June Water Tip: Mower Maintenance!
Mower maintenance is an often overlooked factor in water conservation, but can have a large impact on the health and efficiency of the turf plants. Take the time to keep your mower blade sharp. A dull blade rips the top off of the grass plant, causing damage to the plant and forcing the grass blade to expend more water and energy to repair the damage. Also, a dull blade will produce brown tips after the cutting, which simply looks bad. A sharp blade avoids these problems. Keep the underside of the deck clean to help the blade create the needed "lift". This helps produce a more uniform cut and aids in energy efficiency. Cut no more than one third of the grass blade length on any one cutting. If your lawn has gotten out of control, set the deck up high for the first mowing and wait a few days between mowings to lower the deck to the desired cutting height. Remember also that a slightly longer grass blade (2.5 inches or more) will reduce thatch buildup, increase disease resistance, and conserve water.